At just 17 years old, Maya Hughes has already established herself as one of Australia’s emerging nature photographers, with multiple competition successes and another finalist placing in the 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition with her photograph, Percival’s Pearl.
The image captures an extreme close-up of an Australian pelican with a water droplet hanging from the end of its bill.
“I wanted to show an extreme close-up and a different composition to reveal details people don't normally get to see,” Maya said.
“I really wanted to focus on the detail and the striking colours along with the pearl-like water drop hanging from the end of the bill, popping against the soft white plumage.”
Pelicans have featured regularly in Maya’s photography over the years. She won the Junior category in 2024 for her photo, Elegance.
“That was the back of the head pelican. It shows the details of the bird, but not like Percival’s Pearl.”
“I've studied and watched their behaviours and they're just a beautiful species of bird,” she said.
“They're so magnificent and massive. But they have such a soft personality to them as well.”
Maya photographed Percival’s Pearl on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, a location she regularly visits to photograph wildlife.
“I’ve photographed many Australian pelicans, birds, and wildlife there, and it really is a beautiful location,” she said.
The location also helped inspire the photograph’s title, with the title being inspired by Storm Boy, which was also filmed on the Fleurieu.
The water droplet at the end of the pelican’s bill reminded her of a pearl, inspiring the connection to the film’s well-known pelican, Mr Percival.
“It's such a meaningful film and because I've taken so many photos along the Fleurieu, I thought it was very fitting.”
Maya received her first camera six years ago, but her interest in nature and photography began even earlier.
“I've always been capturing, even on my phone before I got my first camera. I really enjoy being out there and just capturing memories,’ she said.
One category she is particularly interested in entering is Our Impact, which focuses on the positive and negative impacts humans have on nature.
“It’s one of my favourites because it’s so important,’ she said. ‘It spreads so much awareness about the environment.”
When she turns 18, Maya plans to enter the category, along with as many others as she can.
“There are so many incredible photographers in this competition and it’s always a challenge, but I’m up for the challenge.”
Maya hopes to continue developing her photography by studying photography while continuing to spend as much time as possible photographing wildlife in nature.
“Photography and capturing wildlife is such a passion of mine and to be able to show that is so special to me,” she said.
“It’s why this competition is so amazing.”
Visitors can see Maya’s photograph at the 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition, on display now at the South Australian Museum until 14 February 2026.
